Woman hospitalised demands action to improve nightmare Walsall junction
A woman hospitalised after a car crash is calling for improved road safety at a Walsall junction notorious for traffic accidents.
Michelle Brookes was one of two cars involved in a crash last month at the Rushall junction near McDonald’s.
The 56-year-old had to go to A&E with a broken hand and bruising. The other passenger, her 83-year-old dad, suffered bruising.
Her crushed Nissan Juke was written off in the crash and her bad luck didn’t end there.
In the days before Michelle’s vehicle was due to be picked up by the insurance company, it was stolen.
Michelle, from Rushall, wants to see action to address the chaotic junction which often sees crashes and near-misses.
She said: “All of us would like to know if there’s anything being done and it wasn’t just all talk.
“It’s happening far too often and will be fatal one of these days.
"It’s stupid drivers who are at fault. The other day four cars jumped the lights.
"They only have to jump them once and then they keep doing it again.”
Michelle would like to see cameras installed on the traffic lights to see drivers going through on red issued fines.
West Midlands Police, who are responsible for red-light enforcement, has not provided a comment on this but did confirm the vehicle theft.
Walsall Council is responsible for reducing and preventing accidents on the roads it maintains.
Councillor Kerry Murphy, portfolio holder for street pride at Walsall Council, said: “The council wants local roads to be as safe as they can possibly be at all times.
“Road safety affects everyone in our borough, those behind the wheel and those who aren’t, and we’re committed to improving the safety of our roads, so Walsall is a safe place for residents and visitors.
“The council’s highways team are investigating ways to improve the safety of Rushall junction, all of which would be subject to relevant process to ensure improvements are viable, and that there is sufficient delivery funding available in the medium-to-long-term future.
“We also continue to work in partnership with West Midlands Police who are the authority empowered to tackle speeding and red light offences.”
On the theft, a West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We carried out an investigation after a car was stolen in Rushall on September 23.
“Unfortunately, all lines of enquiry were exhausted and the matter has been filed.
"We will investigate any new evidence we receive, and anyone who saw what happened can contact us via 101 or Live Chat quoting crime number 20/472216/24.”